The 27-year-old put pen to paper on a deal last night, believed to have made him one of City’s highest earners.

It caps a remarkable rise for Vardy, who was plying his trade in the Conference just two years ago at Fleetwood.

Vardy’s representatives were in Leicester yesterday finalising the terms of his new deal, which will keep him at the King Power Stadium until June 2018.

"I'm over the moon," said Vardy. "We all know that the club wants to keep improving and stay in the Premier League, and I definitely want to be a part of that.

The striker became the first £1 million non-league player when he was signed by manager Nigel Pearson in May 2012.

After struggling to make the step up in his first season at the club, Vardy went on to show just why City were prepared to pay so much for him, scoring 16 goals in an impressive campaign that saw his side clinch the Championship title in emphatic fashion.

"Everyone knows the way that I've come back into football (from non-league)," said Vardy. "We managed to get promoted last season, but now it is all about making sure we stay in the Premier League.

"Nigel Pearson brought me here and he wants the club to maintain their Premier League status. He was a big influence (on me signing a new deal) and now I've just got to repay him on the field."

City believe the pacy striker will continue to be a hit in the Premier League but he is yet to test himself in the top flight, having been out of action with a thigh injury.

However, he returned to training yesterday and is in contention for the trip to Stamford Bridge this weekend as City take on Chelsea.

52 comments

"kapero | August 20 2014, 10:15PM
i get that Alex but these boys are not just starting out, they have performed before and that helps us make judgements, PL or not." Do not agree at all the PL is a much harder faster league and you cannot compare life in the Championship to the PL at all. So not this is not a fair comparison at all. It is comparing Mo Farah to Usain Bolt which is almost irrelevant mate. Poor argument and not one I would even give a second thought to.

Does this mean Vardy gets more that the new signing Ulloa as it said he will be one of the most highly paid players we have??? I think it is great news we can keep most of our players a part form Dyer x

i get that Alex but these boys are not just starting out, they have performed before and that helps us make judgements, PL or not. Debate is formed from going round in circles, not sitting on the fence, and whatever we think of bob, he keeps us chasing our tails!

Bob, Man C played nine games last December, winning eight and drawing one. One week after defeating us they travelled to the champions of Europe and won. They made three changes from the team that started against Leicester.

Kapero, what are you saying? I am saying we need to give all the players not just Vardy time to settle in to the PL, right? This takes time and quite a few games, agreed? Therefore yes give it time so we can form opinions on where the team and certain player are or aren't at, understand?

Slightly confused bobagro.What do you mean by your time is coming? Also do you work from the same script as Kruger and freedo? Or do you all have the same author. Remember this is a site for Leicester fans.